This week marks the 38th Anniversary of the Universal Zulu Nation, as well as the commemoration of the 39th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. Celebratory events have been taking place throughout New York City since Wednesday, November 9 and will continue to occur until Sunday, November 13.

The Universal Zulu Nation is an international Hip-Hop awareness group formed and headed by Hip-Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. Originally known simply as The Organization, it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youths, combining local dance and music movements into what would become known as the various elements of Hip-Hop culture. By the 1980s, Hip-Hop had spread globally, and the Zulu Nation has since established (autonomous) branches in Japan, France, the U.K., Australia, South Korea, and the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Zulu Nation has undergone changes over the past decade. From the late 1980s, at the height of the Afrocentric movement in Hip-Hop (when artists such as KRS-One, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, the Native Tongue collective, and Rakim hit success), the movement seemed to be incorporating many doctrines from the Nation of Islam, the Nation of Gods and Earth, and the Nuwaubians. In the 2000s, however, its official Web site affirmed that the Zulu Nation has left the system of “believing” and instead adheres to “Factology versus Beliefs,” a philosophy and doctrine that can often be seen in, though is not always exclusive to, Nuwaubianism.

There are three major concert events taking place to mark the anniversaries at venues like Yotel NYC, La Poissen Rouge, and S.O.B.’s over the next three days. Confirmed artists include Q-Tip, Afrika Bambaataa, Keith Murray, 9th Wonder, The Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Melle Mel, and many, many more! Below is information for the concerts that are taking place to celebrate the historic anniversary of both the Zulu Nation and Hip-Hop itself: